Scams - If it doesn't sound right it probably isn't!

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has been made aware of a scam involving consumers being telephoned by people, alleging to be from the OFT, asking for personal and financial information including their bank account details in order for the OFT to reclaim bank charges on their behalf. These callers have no connection with the OFT, and their intention is to use the information for identity theft or to run up bills or commit crimes using stolen details. The OFT will never contact consumers asking them for personal bank details.

The OFT is warning consumers not to pass on personal or financial information to cold callers either over the phone or via email, and if they have already done so, to contact their bank as soon as possible and review their credit card and bank account statements to see if there have been any unauthorised transactions. For full deatils go to http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2007/125-07

Alan Porter of The Will Centre says, "NEVER disclose personal information. There are several websites that contain information such as 'Get Safe Online' and 'Bank Safe Online'. Log on to these and get wise to the scammers".